What were they thinking?

And the winner is... Texas Tech's Mike Leach

The situation: Beginning of the fourth quarter and Texas Tech is up 28-23. Tech is driving and eventually ends up having 1st and goal at Houston's seven yard line.  Three plays later and its now fourth and goal at Houston's one yard line.

Decision/Result: Leach goes for it on fourth and goal and Houston stops Taylor Potts for no gain.

Result: The result came much later on Houston's game winning drive. Instead of having to go for two to just tie the game, all Houston has to do is just score to win the game.

It is always easy to second guess from the couch or bar or wherever you are watching a game, but I just can not figure out why Leach went for it. Your team is up five points in the fourth quarter and your defense has played relatively well, just kick the field goal. I am sure Leach's reasoning behind going for the touchdown is that Houston was not going to drive 99 yards and he ended up being correct there. However, all Houston had to do was simply score a touchdown. Leach admitted to making the wrong call, which is much easier to say after the fact. Any fan wants their coach thinking at critical times of games and its clear that Leach has too much pride is his offense to think clearly.  Put the pressure on Houston and make them go for two if they score as they did at the end of the game. As a result of Leach's poor decision, Tech is 2-2 with a tough schedule playing in the Big 12 south.  I think Leach may have cost his team a potential bowl bid.

Tech's future games (number in parentheses is win loss record)

New Mexico-Win (3-2)

Kansas St.-Win (4-2)

@Nebraska-Toss up.  Its a loss if Nebraska's defense is playing well (4-3)

Texas A&M-Win (5-3)

Kansas-Toss up. I think they get a win here, but for arguments sake, lets say loss. (5-4)

@ OK. St-Loss (5-5)

Oklahoma-Loss (5-6)

Baylor-win (6-6)

A 6-6 record would leave Texas Tech in bowl game limbo and instead of being 7-5, they would be 6-6 at the end of the year. Obviously these are just predictions, but it shows how one decision can affect a season.

Runner up: Gary Pinkel going for numerous uncalled two point conversions in Mizzou's win against Nevada. There is no need to go for two point conversions until the fourth quarter.

-Mike Moreau